Compare
Timo and Otter compared
Otter suits people who want a free tier, desktop and mobile apps, and an agent that can join calls. Timo suits individuals who want no bot, one $8 plan and action items placed on their calendar.
Checked 12 October 2026. Competitor details come from their own pages, linked below.
| How it records | No bot joins the call. Timo records on your own device. |
|---|---|
| Price | Then $8 a month for 100 hours of recording |
| Privacy | Notes are private unless you share them. Your content is not used to train AI models. |
Timo and Otter side by side
| Timo | Otter | |
|---|---|---|
| Free option | 30-day trial with no card; no permanent free tier | Basic plan: 300 monthly transcription minutes, 30 minutes per conversation, 3 lifetime file imports [1] |
| Paid individual plan | $8 a month for 100 hours of recording | Pro: $16.99 per user per month billed monthly, or $8.33 billed annually [2] |
| How it captures | No bot. Records on your device: a browser tab's audio in desktop Chrome, Edge or Arc, or the microphone | An agent can join Zoom, Teams and Meet calls; the desktop app records without a bot [3] |
| Meetings it lists | Google Meet, Zoom and Teams in a browser tab; any meeting through the microphone; uploaded recordings | Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and in-person meetings [4] |
| Apps | Web, Chrome extension (Chrome Web Store), iPhone app (public TestFlight beta) | Mac and Windows desktop, iOS, Android, Chrome extension [5] |
| AI training statement | Your content is not used to train AI models | "Otter uses a proprietary method to de-identify user data before training our models" [6] |
Otter's details are taken only from Otter's own pricing, product and security pages, linked under Sources, and were read on the date above. Prices are list prices in US dollars as shown; promotions are excluded. Products change, so check the source before deciding.
Where they differ most
Otter offers a free tier and native apps across desktop and mobile. Timo has a 30-day trial instead of a free tier and works on the web today, with an iPhone app in testing.
Otter can send an agent into calls. Timo never joins a call and always records on your device.
Timo turns accepted action items into tasks and places them on Google Calendar.
Is Timo the right fit?
Timo fits when
- You'd rather nothing joins your calls and recording stays on your device.
- You want action items turned into tasks and placed on Google Calendar.
- You work on your own and want one simple plan.
Look elsewhere when
- You need a bot that records meetings you don't attend; Otter lists that option.
- You need native desktop or Android apps today.
- You need team workspaces, CRM sync or admin controls.
Try it on your next meeting
No card required. Then $8 a month for 100 hours of recording.
Start your 30 free daysAlso: Add Timo to Chrome · Join the iPhone beta · All the facts
Questions
Is Timo an Otter alternative without a bot?
Timo never joins calls; it records on your own device. Otter's desktop app can also record without a bot, according to Otter's site.
Which costs less?
Timo is $8 a month for 100 hours of recording after a 30-day trial. Otter's Pro list price is $16.99 per user per month billed monthly, or $8.33 billed annually, and it has a free Basic plan.
Does either train AI on my meetings?
Timo doesn't use your content to train AI models. Otter's privacy page says it de-identifies user data before training its models.
Sources
- Otter Basic plan limits: Otter pricing, checked 12 October 2026
- Otter Pro price: Otter pricing, checked 12 October 2026
- Otter agent and bot-free desktop recording: Otter home page, checked 12 October 2026
- Otter meeting platforms and in-person: Otter apps, checked 12 October 2026
- Otter apps: Otter apps, checked 12 October 2026
- Otter training statement: Otter privacy and security, checked 12 October 2026